2cm dilated and in pain

[Olivetti]

Hello
I am 40 + 6 and was in days assessment unit this morning as thought waters had broken but turned out to be v watery show (sorry if TMI). Am 2cm dilated and have been sent home, but having loads of painful contractions, although not regular. Does anyone have any views on how long it will be until I go into established labour and can get back and get some proper pain relief??? Thanks

it could be an hour or a day.. just depends really.... is this your first baby? In the meantime, you can have paracetomal, have a bath, use a TENS machine ( not in the bath!) and have back massage low down in your back.. use a birth ball to sit on if you have one..

also, use this time to sleep/rest. eat and drink lightly and wait.. your body will let you know when it is time to pay attention

also pay attention to yourbreathing, long, slow deep breathing, rather than shallow breath or holding your breath can help and gives you something to focus on

I had something similar with DS - 2 cm, lots of painful contractions, not allowed pain relief. I got a TENS machine, which was a good distraction, walked as much as possible, and had a few hot baths. I hate to say it too, but I ended up in labour for 3 days - 1 of them induced and epidural-ed. I never went into established labour on my own. Hopefully things will kick off for you soon, but do try the TENS and a nice deep bath just to relax you a bit. Good luck :)

Sorry you probably don't want to hear this but I had a show, waters broke and then contractions started 3 days before I was in established labour. It really does vary a great deal though - it may be quick for you.

Have you taken some paracetomol and tried a warm bath? Have you got a TENS machine you can use or try some relaxation techniques?

Hope it is speedy for you. Look forward to reading your birth announcement very soon!

Try posting in Childbirth for more responses - many of us in here haven't go to that stage yet!

Hi - got to be quick as on way out topick up DS. Best thing you can do is get active. Walk round and round. big deep breaths in and out. This should help get you going - will speed up this bit so you'll spend less time overall in labour without pain relief. They generally try and hold off G&A for as long as possible. I found having a hot water bottle to rub my back/lower front with each contraction helped, and groaning! Good luck - I do remember that this stage of labour (both times) was more painful than I expected or remembered. You'll get there! But it definitely helps to try and get it going even if that seems a scary prospect. i wished I'd done it the first time round and the second I spent two days in early labour, too scared to move around. Once I started (at 3cm dilated) DD was born within 5 hours. Best luck! x

Hi, thanks for your speedy responses. Hospital gave me paracetamol, but it has had no effect (although maybe they are really getting worse and paracetamol masks that??) - yes, I've got a tens machine and am planning on having a bath soon. It's just me and my husband - do you think I should send him to work so he's not using up his paternity leave just sitting here?? Thanks

Try to relax, put something funny on the tv, or a talk radio station 5Live etc just to take your mind off it. If you feel like it, have a sleep (you'll be glad later) don't worry about food if you're not in the mood. Are you alone? Best not to be if possible, you need distracting. Bath helps for a lot of people, not for me, I found it too constricting, wanted to be in the ocean! It could be a while yet, there's no telling, but you will have your baby very soon - how exciting! Good luck

My DH "wasted" two days of paternity leave while I was in labour. Looking back, they were the two most valuable days' leave he has ever had and I wouldn't have wanted to go through it alone. Why not lie down together for a cuddle and a nap - it may be your last chance for a while!

Don't walk too far though or you'll be shattered. I walked miles in the hospital when I was induced with DS1 and ended up exhausted. With DS2 I went into spontaneous labour and contracted at home for about 3-4 hours, had a show but no waters. I was determined I wasn't going to go into hospital too early (I was terrified of the internal exams they give) anyway it got to the point where I was moaning in pain and couldn't concentrate on any more friends reruns, went in and had DS2 within 20 mins. I'd wait until you're regularly contracting at 3-4 mins apart. If you start to 'moo' in pain; it's time to go in. My waters didn't go until I was pushing so it's not really a good indicator of labour IME.

Good luck!

Thank you very much, all of this is really helpful. I agress, I don't think I would want to be on my own at the moment, so I just hope it's not another week. I'll try more walking around and let you have an update later. Thanks again!!

How are you this morning Olivetti?

Any news? I've been thinking about you

Hi - sorry for delay but...Anna Emily was born at 16:15 on Tuesday 16th. Turned out my back waters had actually broken at 6am on the Monday when they sent me home, so we were both kept in for a few days for observation as she was at risk of infection as I should have had an antibiotic drip asap. Anyway, we are home, and she is beautiful!! Thank you all so much for your support on that day - I found the at home part the most painful.

Aww lovely news! Congrats xx

Ahh lovely well done you xx